When I Was a Singer

When I Was a Singer (Quand j'étais chanteur) is a 2006 French musical romantic drama film starring Gérard Depardieu and Cécile de France. It was written and directed by Xavier Giannoli.

Plot
Alain Moreau sings for one of the few remaining dance-bands in Clermont-Ferrand. Though something of an idol amongst his female audience he has a melancholic awareness of the slow disappearance of that audience and of his advancing years. He is completely knocked off balance when he meets strikingly attractive and much younger businesswoman Marion. She seems distant and apparently otherwise involved but soon shows quiet signs of reciprocating his interest. A brief dalliance turns into something much more complicated and he starts to employ - indeed monopolise - her services as an estate agent by announcing he suddenly must move house.

Cast

 * Gérard Depardieu as Alain Moreau
 * Cécile De France as Marion
 * Mathieu Amalric as Bruno
 * Christine Citti as Michèle
 * Patrick Pineau as Daniel
 * Alain Chanone as Philippe Mariani
 * Christophe as himself
 * Jean-Pierre Gos as The mayor

Awards and nominations

 * Cannes Film Festival (France)
 * Nominated: Golden Palm (Xavier Giannoli)
 * César Awards (France)
 * Won: Best Sound (Gabriel Hafner and François Musy)
 * Nominated: Best Actor – Leading Role (Gérard Depardieu)
 * Nominated: Best Actress – Leading Role (Cécile De France)
 * Nominated: Best Actress – Supporting Role (Christine Citti)
 * Nominated: Best Editing (Martine Giordano)
 * Nominated: Best Film
 * Nominated: Best Writing – Original (Xavier Giannoli)

Alternative titles
Quand j'étais chanteur was released in the United Kingdom under the title The Singer.